Come on, Astrid! We're waiting
Words of praise apparently stick in Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar’s gullet. If The People hadn’t responded warmly to Piano and his project, rest assured we would have had a whole weekend of FAA megaphones (“Ma nifilhux izjed!”), press conferences and press releases.
But faced with something good, they’re flummoxed. Pole-axed.
“How do we compose a press release saying that we like something the government has done, George?”
“I haven’t a clue, Astrid. I’ve never done it. Let’s ask Helen.”
“Helen? Not ideal – she’s taking tea with Mary Darmanin, and Alfred Sant’s going to pop over.”
“Ok, look – let’s just stick to Bahrija, shall we? The people are with us on that one. But what will we do about Piano?”
“We’ll pretend it isn’t happening. No one will notice. Or they’ll be so glad we’re not protesting that they won’t say anything, in case we do.”
“That woman Daphne might poke us with a stick.”
“So what – it’s not as though anyone is going to take notice of what she says. She’s not a Woman of The People. And in any case, she’s a traitor to her class – she should be with us in FAA, safeguarding our children’s rural heritage for the inferior classes, who are unable to do so themselves. Are you coming along to the fund-raising quiz night?”
“No. I have a game of rummy scheduled at Tigne Beach.”
“Shame. Tomorrow’s my ballroom dancing class, then prayer group, and after that, watercolour painting.”
“But I really think we should say something positive about Piano. The People appear to like it, and we are The People’s voice.”
“Let’s sleep on it. You never know, we might strike lucky and receive word that Renzo Piano’s personal assistant is the Nationalist Party representative in Paris.”
timesofmalta.com Monday, 29th June 2009 – 09:58CET
AD supports Piano’s plans for Valletta
Alternattiva Demokratika said today that it backs Renzo Piano’s proposals for the Opera House and Freedom Square sites.
The party spokesperson on sustainable development, architect Carmel Cacopardo said:”Whilst there could be reasons justifying the criticism of the individual components of the project AD considers that the proposals should be seen as a whole. In particular AD supports the proposals’ sensitivity to the Opera House site as well as the integration of green concepts in the design of the new Parliament building. Whilst AD would have preferred the Parliament to be sited elsewhere it considers that the proposal submitted is reasonable.
“The proposal will remove a large parking site and hence further reduce the number of cars which can enter Valletta at a given time. This is in addition to the reduction resulting from the pedestrianisation of Merchants Street and the paving of St George’s Square.
“Within this context the reform of public transport system assumes urgent significance. The introduction of an efficient public transport system coupled with the reduction of parking spaces could reduce cars from our roads making them not only safer but also resulting in cleaner air’.
AD augured that other valid ideas brought up by civil society such as that for a national library are followed up and that other sites in Valletta are renovated and put to good use.
It also hoped that the timeframe and budget for the City Gate project are adhered to.
No mention of City Gate was made in the AD statement.
timesofmalta.com, 28th June 2009 – 15:14CET
Din l-Art Helwa supports concept, has reservations on Parliament height
Renzo Piano’s designs for the Valletta’s Freedom Square, City Gate and the Opera House site have found the support of heritage group Din l-Art Helwa, which, however, expressed reservations on the proposed height of the Parliament buildings.
“With the entrance to Valletta still in a deplorable state and after more than 60 years of discussion, it is time to move forward,” the organisation said adding that these key spaces should start to be enhanced without delay.
“The initial designs show sensitivity to the symbolic ideal that will be retained with the preservation of cultural space within the Opera House ruins. It is also in consonance with Valletta’s fortified status,” it said.
Din l-Art Helwa expressed reservations on the height of the proposed Parliament buildings in Freedom Square, as they appeared to intrude upon the vision of the city from outside its walls.
It also said it would like to see the government commission a holistic design for the whole of the entrance to the city, fundamentally the area opposite Freedom Square stretching up to St. John’s Cavalier as well as the Bus Terminus area outside City Gate.
“Only in this way can the whole project be viewed in any future context.”
It said that Valletta had much to gain from this project and it looked forward to its early implementation.
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lol
Maybe they’re still too busy to notice what else’s going on around them….
http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/2009/06/28/t5.html
They were right on the Bahrija case though, you see the extension was the issue and not the rebuilding.
Ginger, what do you mean? They misinformed the public both with what they said and what they left unsaid.
Could you be more specific?
Ha ddum tistenna, Daphne.
Even a Teen(s)y weensy statement will do, Astrid.
It seems the troops are still debating round the good old rummy table at Teeny Weeny Beach. Strategy is hard work. Il-hobza ddum tinhema. Methinks the diminutive general is planning something akin to D-Day: tanks, planes, paratroopers, landing craft, the lot.
Astrid, with pointed hat and all, had the boiling cauldron ready but the basic ingredients were lacking.
So she straddled the broom and flew off.
Jomar, you should be very, very careful about the kind of metaphors you use in THIS blog. Believe me, being turned into a frog is a nasty experience.
Get that stick ready, Daphne.